LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: KATY PERRY AT THE O2 ARENA, LONDON 14/10/25
Full photo gallery here
In a world where pop music is a platform for self-expression and spectacle, Katy Perry transformed the stage into a playground of colour, emotion, and unapologetic fun. On the second London stop of her Lifetimes Tour, the pop powerhouse delivered a night of high-flying theatrics, shimmering visuals, and stadium-sized singalongs, all held together by her trademark mix of wit and warmth.
Before Perry lit up the O2 Arena, Au/Ra brought a darker pop edge to the evening. Dressed in her signature dark aesthetic, the singer held the crowd with a calm confidence, her haunting vocals drifting through tracks in a hypnotic 30-minute set.
The concert opened with a cinematic video setting the scene: Katy Perry is on a mission to save the world from an AI overlord known as The Mainframe, a tyrant that has enslaved humanity and captured all of the world’s butterflies, symbols of freedom now held hostage.
From the moment Perry - or more specifically her alter-ego KP143 - ascended from the ground at London’s O2 Arena, suspended high above a stage shaped like an infinity symbol, it was clear the night would be anything but ordinary. Opening with ‘Artificial’, Perry made a celestial, spectacular arrival, dressed in futuristic armor, setting the tone for an evening that was equal parts pop spectacle, nostalgic throwback, and personal connection.
Following energetic performances of ‘Chained to the Rhythm’ and ‘Teary Eyes’, the atmosphere shifted as she launched into ‘Dark Horse’, prompting a roar of instant recognition: phones shot up and the mood transformed into something euphoric.
After performing the single ‘WOMAN'S WORLD’ from her latest record 143, the high energy surged as Perry powered through a back-to-back run of classics such as ‘California Gurls’, ‘Teenage Dream’, ‘Hot n Cold’ and ‘Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)’, igniting the arena with pure pop nostalgia.
In true Perry fashion, humour was never far behind. Before diving into ‘I Kissed a Girl’, she introduced the fan favourite track talking about its instant success in 2008: “it’s as if no one had ever heard of being bisexual!” - a cheeky, knowing nod to her role in reshaping the conversation around sexuality in pop culture.
Perry continued to defy gravity - quite literally - as she performed ‘Nirvana’ midair, following a stunning visual interlude that transitioned into the LIFETIME section of the show. Dressed in an ethereal new outfit, she quipped, “You better hold on to your wigs!” before effortlessly backflipping in a harness above the crowd.
‘Crush’ and ‘I’m His, He’s Mine’ brought the groove back down to earth, with Perry laughing, “This song’s a throwback, so I’m gonna throw it back,” before launching into some playful dance moves. ‘Wide Awake’ followed with haunting beauty, a reminder of Perry’s ability to balance spectacle with sincerity.
Her banter with the band ( “Should we tell them? They’re not gonna believe us… they’re real instruments!”) along with her constant stream of quick wit throughout the show revealed an artist still proudly, unapologetically herself. While it might seem a little extra, over-the-top for some, long-time fans know this level of theatrical excess is classic Katy Perry in her purest form: playful, provocative, and unafraid to make space for humour in the middle of a mainstream pop show.
Mid-show, an interactive Choose Your Own Adventure section delighted fans as the crowd voted for surprise songs to perform from a past album, unique to London’s stop - 2013’s PRISM on this occasion.
‘Ghost’ was revealed first, a stripped back, stunning acoustic moment with Dani on keys and Devon on guitar, as thousands of flashlights flickered across the arena - a reminder of Perry’s raw vocal power.
‘Unconditionally’ followed, bringing fans even closer - literally - as Katy invited three fans onstage, nicknamed them “Triple A” (Amy, Alice, Ariel), and handed them light percussion duties. With flashlights raised and emotions high, she turned to the crowd: “London, I love you - you know this, right?” The connection felt genuine, even in a venue filled with thousands.
She followed with ‘All The Love’, dedicated to her mother who was present in the audience. It was intimate, heartfelt, and yet another layer to the multidimensional artist on display.
But Perry wasn't done taking fans on a journey. Another video game-inspired interlude introduced her digital alter-ego, KP143, battling the villain The Mainframe in an animated world. Soon, the real Katy returned in a lightsaber fight against alien dancers during ‘E.T.’, then powered through ‘Part of Me’ and ‘Rise’, ultimately defeating her on-screen foe with a glitter-firing handheld cannon.
The final act was a stadium-shaking climax: ‘Roar’ where she flew across the arena on a giant butterfly, ‘Daisies’ dedicated to her daughter, the euphoric ‘LIFETIMES’, and the inevitable, unbeatable ‘Fireworks’, which ended the night in a storm of colour and emotion, butterflies confettis in the air.
Katy Perry’s O2 Arena performance was a masterclass in pop stardom, blending theatricality and self-aware humour in equal measure. Whether she was dangling in the air, trading banter with her band and the audience, or simply standing under a single spotlight, she reminded London that beneath the wigs and the glitter, she’s still one of pop’s most enduring forces.
Words and photos by Florelle Servageon
Full setlist below:
ARTIFICIAL
Chained to the Rhythm
Teary Eyes
Dark Horse
WOMAN'S WORLD
California Gurls
Teenage Dream
Hot n Cold
Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
Peacock
I Kissed a Girl
NIRVANA
CRUSH
I'M HIS, HE'S MINE
Wide Awake
Ghost
Unconditionally
ALL THE LOVE
E.T.
Part of Me
Rise
Roar
Daisies
LIFETIMES
Fireworks
